Austin Mardon, an Edmonton man whose promising academic and scientific career came to a crashing halt with the sudden onset of schizophrenia 16 years ago, will be the guest speaker at a presentation hosted by the Canadian Mental Health Association's Niagara branch and the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario Thursday, Oct. 9.

The event, to coincide with national Mental Illness Awareness Week, will be held at the Peninsula Ridge Coach House at 5600 King St. W. in Beamsville from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Mardon will speak about living and loving with schizophrenia, one of the most serious of mental illnesses, which can lead to powerful hallucinations and delusions, as well as severe depression, apathy and lack of motivation.

Many people with the disorder can have the hallucinations and delusions quieted by medications, but how those medications work vary from person to person, and the availability of publicly funded medications varies from province to province.

Schizophrenia struck Mardon suddenly when he was 30. In one instant, while taking a sip of tea, something snapped inside Mardon's mind and he was suddenly flooded with disembodied voices, and the belief he was telepathic.

Through many struggles, Mardon has become a passionate advocate for people with mental illness. For his work, he received the Order of Canada last year.

Admission to Mardon's talk is free, but people should register by calling 905-523-7413 or 905-641-5222 or by e-mail to: jdennison@schizophrenia.on.ca.